SEAHAWKS NOTES: Talk flows after NFC title game

SEATTLE  Clearly, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and San Francisco 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree do not like each other very much.

The Seahawks clinched their 23-17 NFC championship win Sunday over the 49ers when San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick tried to throw a pass to Crabtree in the end zone with 30 seconds remaining.

Sherman tipped the ball, and it was intercepted by linebacker Malcolm Smith.

Sherman was then whistled for a taunting penalty. After the game, he laid into Crabtree.

Michael Crabtree is a mediocre receiver, and when you go against the best cornerback in the game, thats what happens, Sherman said.

Crabtree, who had four catches for 52 yards and no touchdowns, fired back at Sherman.

He knows what time it is, Crabtree said. When we were on the field, he isnt doing nothing. Thats one play. He knows.

The Seahawks receivers have come under plenty of criticism this season.

With Seattle going to the Super Bowl against Denver, Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin took a moment give his thoughts.

It irritates the hell out of me when you have guys that constantly want to talk about our receiving corps, Baldwin said. Talking about how were average, were pedestrian. Well, were going to walk our (butts) to the Super Bowl, pedestrian.

I have a lot of respect for Keyshawn Johnson and Cris Carter and what they did on the football field when they were playing, but the game was at 3:30 today, so I had some time to watch ESPN, and they were talking about how (Seahawks quarterback) Russell Wilson was struggling and the reason why he was struggling was because the receiving corps is, theyre appetizers. Ill take that. Ill be an appetizer.

"But thats a good-(butt) appetizer, if you ask me. Sorry for my cussing.

On the first play of the second quarter, Seattle punter Jon Ryan sentaball to the 13-yard line. 49ers punt returner and ex-Oregon star LaMichael James muffed the punt.

As the ball bounced off him, James was laid out by a Seahawks gunner, causing the return mans helmet to fly off.

After San Francisco recovered the ball, James stayed down for several minutes. James, in his second NFL season, finally was helped off the field by the 49ers training staff.

A few minutes later, the 49ers announced that James had sustained a neck injury and that his return was questionable.

James was able to come back in the second half, though. He finished with four kickoff returns for 92 yards and one punt return for zero yards.

San Francisco offensive guard Mike Iupati suffered an ankle injurywith 10:03 remaining in the first half on the 49ers' first touchdown.

Iupati was replaced at left guard by Adam Snyder, a 6-6, 225-pound former Oregon Duck and a nine-year NFL veteran.

With Iupati unable to return, Snyder filled in for the rest of the game.

The Super Bowlwill feature two ex-Portland State Vikings.

Seattle special teams player DeShawn Shead was a four-year starter for the Viks at cornerback and safety. Broncos tight end Julius Thomas played on the PSU basketball team for four years before going out for football in his final semester of eligibility.

Thomas made the Pro Bowl this year after catching 12 touchdown passes.

According to Portland State sports information director Mike Lund, only two other former Portland State players are believed to have appeared in a Super Bowl game.

Tight end Clint Didier played in three Super Bowls for the Washington Redskins during the 1980s and won Super Bowls XVII and XXI.

Tight end Ted Popson was a member of the 1994 49ers, who won Super Bowl XXIX on Jan. 29, 1995, 49-26 over San Diego.